JOHNSTOWN - The FM Nine enjoyed a day to remember on Tuesday. Pitcher Christian Maldonado dominated the SUNY Adirondack batters in Game One, and freshman hurler Jared Gregware fashioned a no-hitter in Game Two.

Photo:  Jared Gregware pitching in the fifth inning of Game Two - Andrew Houser is the first baseman

Game One

The game began with Adirondack's first batter, John Natale, getting on board via an E6. Maldonado got the next two batters to pop up and fly out. Maldonado's battery mate Andrew Houser got the third out by nailing Natale 2-6 in an attempted steal.

The Timberwolves would only see a runner reach base two more times in Maldonado's well-crafted one-hitter: Mike Nicastro doubled in the second and walked in the fourth.

Photo:  Shortstop Raymond Osterhout nails the T-Wolves' runner at first base - #22 is Christian Maldonado, and the left fielder is DaShon Boyles

FM sent 12 batters to the plate in the home half of the second. James Waters led off with a walk. Two more Raiders got on base, and Baylee Hall drove in all three with a double to left.

Christopher Rockefeller belted a homerun over the right field fence. DaShon Boyles and Andrew Houser drew walks. James Waters then sent a shot well over the left field fence, clearing the bases and putting FM up 8-0.

Zachary Hughes stroked a home run, and Lewis Lima beat out an infield hit before FM's big inning ended. 9-0 Fulton-Montgomery.

Maldonado and the FM defense kept Adirondack from scoring. The Raiders scored three more in the fourth. That inning featured doubles by Houser and Lima. FM led 12-0

Photo:  James Waters' homer cleared the bases

The run rule ended the contest after five innings. Maldonado pitched a fine fifth frame by getting the first batter to fly out to right fielder Robert Brown, striking out the next batter, and finishing with a third-to-first ground out.

Game Two

Jared Gregware stepped onto the mound. He needed an inning to get into his groove, and then he did just that. Gregware walked two but also got a fly out and struck out two batters in the first inning. He set the side down in order in the second, and was on his way to pitching a gem.

FM got on the board in the third inning when Lewis Lima delivered a three-run double. Gregware pitched a one-two-three inning in the fourth, and FM was rolling.

Nine Raiders batted in the fourth. When the frame ended, FM led 7-0.

Gregware made it three up and three down in the fifth. He was almost as effective in the sixth when he induced two ground outs, walked one batter, and struck out Adirondack's Nick Welcome.

Photo:  Zach Hughes sent this one over the fence in Game One

FM added a pair of runs in the sixth. Catcher Matt Hecht plated Lima with a sacrifice fly. Ray Osterhout brought Baylee Hall home with a productive ground out. The score was 9-0.

Gregware finished his gem with an emphatic seventh. He struck out the first batter swinging, got the second one looking, and got the final out with a swinging strikeout. Jared Gregware had pitched his first collegiate no-hitter. The rest of the Raiders charged out to greet him. It was a grand moment for FM players and fans to savor. (See photo at the bottom of this webpage.)

Adirondack and FM will finish their seasons at historic East Field in Glens Falls on Thursday. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.

                     C.J. Bonny, website writer

Photo below:  Innfielders Ray Osterout and Andrew Houser congratulate Gregware, and catcher Matt Hecht hands him the game ball